News Archive

The theme at East Elementary this school year is “Difference Maker,” and that’s exactly what Tiger Team, comprised of fourth graders, are hoping to accomplish — make a difference in the lives of teachers, fellow students and even the community. 

On Nov. 16, Ozark’s locally-owned McDonald’s restaurant honored West Elementary Paraprofessional Angela Porter as the 2023 McDonald’s Outstanding Educator. 

Students across Ozark School District celebrated Veterans Day Nov. 11 by honoring veterans in various ways throughout the week. 

The commons area at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center looks a bit different the week of Oct. 16. And if you happen to stop by, you may witness something a bit different, and a lot of fun! Students are taking an adventure in space as they are learning to think with their eyes. 

On Sept. 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the U.S. Constitution. Students across the District did various activities to learn about our U.S. Constitution.

A lot of work happened at OMS, Tiger Paw and OHS over the summer! The precast storm shelter at OMS was installed and crews are now working to finish the roof. At Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, moved dirt and erected the storm shelter three months ahead of schedule. At the high school, crews have been moving dirt for the storm shelter as well as an indoor activities center. 

Sept. 11, 2023, marked 22 years since the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Students across the District did various activities in honor and remembrance of Patriot Day.

Ozark School District held its Third Annual OZcar Awards ceremony Aug. 14, kicking off the 2023-24 school year with a districtwide meeting. Five district winners received awards, along with a community member for Volunteer of the Year.

The theme at East Elementary this school year is “Difference Maker,” and that’s exactly what Tiger Team, comprised of fourth graders, are hoping to accomplish — make a difference in the lives of teachers, fellow students and even the community. 

On Nov. 16, Ozark’s locally-owned McDonald’s restaurant honored West Elementary Paraprofessional Angela Porter as the 2023 McDonald’s Outstanding Educator. 

Students across Ozark School District celebrated Veterans Day Nov. 11 by honoring veterans in various ways throughout the week. 

Payton Shelor’s second grade class at South Elementary was patiently waiting for their guest reader to arrive on Nov. 8 when in walked Spc. James Wall with the Army National Guard. 

Ozark High School FFA students had some fun with third graders Oct. 20 for the club’s annual Fall Fest at the FFA Farm. Ozark South Elementary students got the full farm experience through outdoor games, a petting zoo, a hayride, pumpkin decorating, face painting and even s’mores around a campfire — all while learning about agriculture.

Most of us probably take socks for granted. But there is a group of North Elementary third and fourth graders that may think a bit more about the importance of socks when they put them on after they hosted a sock drive in October.

Usually red is one of the most prevalent colors students are sporting at Ozark Middle School. But on Wednesday, Oct. 18 the hallways were filled with a sea of orange. The shades of orange wasn’t to celebrate fall, although we are happy about that. October is National Bullying Prevention Month and OMS celebrated National Unity Day by wearing orange in support of kindness, acceptance and inclusion. 

It's not usually fun to take a math test. But Ozark Middle School fifth graders sure had fun reviewing adding and subtracting decimal numbers in real-world situations!

A lot of work happened at OMS, Tiger Paw and OHS over the summer! The precast storm shelter at OMS was installed and crews are now working to finish the roof. At Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, moved dirt and erected the storm shelter three months ahead of schedule. At the high school, crews have been moving dirt for the storm shelter as well as an indoor activities center. 

Congratulations to 13 Ozark School District employees for receiving Ozark School District Foundation Fund grants totaling $10,308.

Ozark School District held its Third Annual OZcar Awards ceremony Aug. 14, kicking off the 2023-24 school year with a districtwide meeting. Five district winners received awards, along with a community member for Volunteer of the Year.

We’ve been busy this summer working on something and we are so excited to officially introduce Ozark to our new athletic/activity website and app: ozarkmotigers.org!

Students across Ozark School District celebrated Veterans Day Nov. 11 by honoring veterans in various ways throughout the week. 

Ozark Junior High students took time during their Nov. 1 spirit assembly to honor all those who serve our country, with a special tribute to one staff member — Master Sergeant Nicola Mozingo, who is retiring from teaching and the military at the end of the school year.

East Elementary third graders have been learning all about Missouri — the major cities and rivers, and what makes the Cave State so great. On Missouri Day Oct. 18, the unit culminated with a sweet trip to Ozark Junior High where seventh grade baking students helped the elementary students decorate Missouri-shaped cookies with icing, licorice for major rivers and candy sprinkles for major cities. 

If you drove by Ozark Junior High or East Elementary schools this summer, you may have noticed some large dumpsters outside and construction workers onsite. Both buildings underwent major upgrades: East got a roof replacement while OJH revamped its main gym. 

Ozark Junior High students had a break from classwork and spent time having fun in the sun on Friday, September 1, as they participated in the school’s inaugural Team Day. 

Congratulations to Ozark teachers Jody Dalton and Shawn Saylor for each receiving a Classroom Grant from the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation. Ozark received two of the 12 grants awarded to schools across 10 counties. 

Students across Ozark School District celebrated Veterans Day Nov. 11 by honoring veterans in various ways throughout the week. 

After a lot of hard work, and a lot of music played, Ozark High School is honored to have 47 band students selected to be a part of a South Central All-District Bands. Thirty-one students made either honor or concert band while 16 students made one of the jazz bands. Seven students made both a concert band and a jazz band, 10 students were selected as the first chair in their instrument, and 30 students qualified to audition for the All-State bands.

After a lot of hard work, and a lot of singing, Ozark High School is honored to have five of its outstanding choir students selected for the 2023 Missouri All-State Choir.

Retired 1st Sgt. William Crawford was honored during a Veterans Day Assembly Nov. 9 with the Salutes Plaque, the highest honor a civilian can receive for their outstanding recruiting efforts. 

Ozark High School FFA students had some fun with third graders Oct. 20 for the club’s annual Fall Fest at the FFA Farm. Ozark South Elementary students got the full farm experience through outdoor games, a petting zoo, a hayride, pumpkin decorating, face painting and even s’mores around a campfire — all while learning about agriculture.

Traditional high school is not for everyone, and sometimes students need a little extra help to get across the finish line to graduation. In Ozark, Finley River School offers an option to high school students who thrive in nontraditional educational environments and need more one-on-one opportunities with educators.

On April 17, Ozark High School and Ozark Chamber of Commerce collaborated on an event to explore future partnerships between Ozark Academy students and local businesses. 

What do you get when you mix hungry high school students and homegrown lettuce? A Lettuce Party! 

Earlier this month, Ozark High School Natural Resources & Agriculture Capstone student Senior Tristin Cathcart harvested several varieties of lettuce and herbs including basil, kale, cilantro, chives, arugula and spring mix salad. Naturally, there was only one logical way to celebrate: A Lettuce Party!  

OHS students in the Health Sciences Academy got hands-on experience Sept. 30 as representatives from CoxHealth and the Christian County Ambulance District stopped by.  

Did you ever want to be a forensic scientist? OHS students in Principals of Biomedical Science class spent Sept. 12 determining the cause of death for a mock crime scene using sketches, measurements and photography. Students had to follow specific protocols for collecting evidence and then had to record and analyze that evidence to evaluate the potential crime scene. Students then researched different professions that related to the assignment.

OHS ninth-grade students are learning so much in the Academy Explorations class.The purpose of the hands-on class is to introduce students to all six Academies so they are prepared to make their Academy selection during their spring Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP).

How do you make a big school feel small? Ozark High School is taking this challenge head on for the 2022-23 school year with a new Academy model of education.  Ozark High School is set to open a second campus called the Ozark Innovation Center in August 2022. With grade levels over 400 students and a second campus, Academies will ensure students feel connected with other students and teachers within their academic program in addition to their activities. 

A lot of work happened at OMS, Tiger Paw and OHS over the summer! The precast storm shelter at OMS was installed and crews are now working to finish the roof. At Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, moved dirt and erected the storm shelter three months ahead of schedule. At the high school, crews have been moving dirt for the storm shelter as well as an indoor activities center. 

Safety and growth took center stage Friday, April 21 as Ozark School District officially broke ground on projects at Ozark High School and Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center. These projects include storm shelters at both locations, as well as an indoor practice facility at OHS, all part of the $19 million no-tax-increase bond issue voters approved on the April 5, 2022, ballot.

Here we grow again! We officially broke ground on Storm Shelters at Ozark Middle School, Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center and Ozark High School.

It might not have been the typical groundbreaking with shovels moving dirt in the sunshine, but the rain didn’t damper the excitement as Ozark School District officially broke ground March 23 on the Ozark Middle School storm shelter and new entrance, a project part of the $19 million no-tax-increase bond issue voters approved on the April 5, 2022, ballot.

After a year of planning following April 2022 voter approval for a bond to build 3 storm shelters and an indoor practice facility, we are excited to officially start the construction projects and break ground!

• OMS Groundbreaking will be at 5 p.m. March 23
• Tiger Paw Groundbreaking will be at 1:45 p.m. March 31
• Ozark High School Groundbreaking will be at 2:30 p.m. March 31

The public is invited to attend all of the events! We hope to see you there!

Since April, we have been busy wrapping up our June 2020 bond projects (see details below) while kicking off these new bond projects. Here are some highlights:

• In September, the Board of Education selected Branco Enterprises Inc. as the construction manager at risk for all four projects, which include storm shelters at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, Ozark Middle School and Ozark High School, as well as an indoor activities building at OHS
• The Design Phase is nearly complete for all projects
• All projects will go out to bid this winter (2022/23)
• Estimate completion date on all projects is August 2024